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Young making strong first impression for Phillies

4/9/13: Michael Young falls a double shy of the cycle and collects a pair of RBIs to help the Phillies overpower the Mets for an 8-3 win

By Todd Zolecki
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MLB.com |

PHILADELPHIA -- Michael Young had a sterling reputation as a solid baseball player long before he put on a Phillies uniform in Spring Training.

But with Young having played his entire career in the American League with the Texas Rangers, Phillies fans had limited familiarity with him. He has impressed so far. He entered Wednesday night's game against the Mets at Citizens Bank Park hitting .345 (10-for-29) with one double, one triple, one home run, three RBIs, four walks, a .552 slugging percentage and a .424 on-base percentage. He also has showed his baserunning skills and has held his own so far at third base.

Young is confident things will improve for the Phillies, who have struggled early.

"If we focus on how we play and our style of play and our energy level, we feel like the other things are going to follow," he said.

Todd Zolecki is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.